The Venus School of Dance, formerly The Adcock School of Dance was established in 1963 by Miss Valerie Adcock who opened at the Hanham Folk Centre with just 8 pupils!
During the past 50+ years, the school has grown considerably and now has well over 200 pupils taking classes every week. Although during this time the school has always had it’s base in Hanham, classes have also been held at Bath, Keynsham, Saltford, Bedminster, Yate, Wick and various other areas.
Towards the end of the 1970’s Valerie asked Miss Ingrid Sampson, a senior pupil of the school, to take over on a temporary basis as she had family commitments. Ingrid agreed and the classes continued, aided by Miss Kathryn (Kathy) Patch – also a pupil.
When Valerie was unable to return, Ingrid purchased the school – changing its name to ‘Venus’ (after seeing a picture of the Goddess of Love in a striking dance pose!)
Ingrid ran the school jointly with Kathy until 1982 when Kathy (now Millichamp after marrying in May of that year) purchased the school from Ingrid. Unfortunately Ingrid had to retire from teaching at that time due to ill health.
By now the school had moved out of the Folk Centre across the road to the Hanham Methodist Church where, due to the suitable facilities and number of rooms available for classes, the school rapidly expanded and continues to flourish.
Today the school is firmly established in the local community, it’s longevity sees former pupils returning to bring their children to dance classes!